Greece’s Minerva Marine has ordered its first LNG carrier newbuildings, marking the Andreas Martinos-led company’s entry into the gas shipping sector.

TradeWinds has received confirmation that Minerva is the company behind two 173,400-cbm LNG carriers contracted at DSME for delivery in 2021.

The South Korean yard announced the orders last week without naming the shipowner involved.

TradeWinds reported last week that Minerva had been eyeing LNG slots, but in response to questions a spokesman for the company said: “Minerva is not looking currently at LNG.”